Expand your international network

If you don’t know anyone, no-one’s going to call.

Especially in academia, establishing contacts is crucial for a successful career. Using the example of German psychologists, it could be shown that not only scientific achievement and productivity influence the academic career, but also collaborations and networks in the later postdoctoral stage (Lang/Neyer 2004). Networking allows you to access information, to connect with others, and to gain visibility and academic acceptance. You may want to extend your network to high profile individuals at home and abroad. After all, in the minds of the appointments committee, well-connected researchers might contribute to the internationalisation strategy. They may be trusted to establish fruitful research cooperation or to invite distinguished visiting scholars.

A variety of funding is available to support you in developing your network:

HSG congress subsidies: Assistant professors with positions outside the profile areas can apply for up to CHF 2,500 in travel expenses.

International Exchange: Researchers holding a doctorate or equivalent can pursue a small research project abroad (1 week up to 3 months).

Guest lecturers: As part of its internationalisation strategy, HSG allows the issuing of invitations to guest lecturers.

Postdoc.Mobility: The SNSF funds research secondments lasting between 12 and 36 months.